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Columbia University - Campus Dining - Campus Dining - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Campus Dining

B
Where does this grade come from?View all Campus Dining rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

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Quick Stats

Average Meal Plan Cost $4402 per year
Freshman Meal Plan Required? Yes
Student Favorites
  • Ferris Booth Commons
  • Uris Hall

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Freshmen are required to have dining plans during their first year at Columbia, and many resent the burden of having so many meals to use. Conventional wisdom suggests that students should invest in the meal package with the fewest meals and the most points. While few sing the praises of cafeteria food, it is even rarer for students to totally disparage the grub at Columbia. For better-than-average dining, cross Broadway and head to Hewitt, Barnard’s dining hall—they accept the Columbia meal plan. For those who eat at erratic hours or those simply tired of cafeteria food, there are many on-campus cafés and snack places with a little something for everyone. JJ’s Place in the basement of John Jay doubles as a snack-grill-grocery store and late-night hangout, with a pool table, flat screens for individual tables, and an array of board games for group enjoyment.

Sophomores and upperclassmen who go off meal plans often voice regrets about not being able to have food at their fingertips, but many rectify this problem by getting a Flex Account. This allows students to use their Columbia ID to buy food without having to worry about having cash on them. One benefit of eating meals on campus with a card is that it is tax-free, so one saves a lot of money by using points to pick up a snack on campus; the cafés in Lerner Hall and Uris are among the student favorites for sandwiches, soups, or coffee breaks.

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Columbia Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Dining at Columbia University

chris6049

Chemical Engineering '15

3.1
B-

Not Great

Columbia's dining halls aren't that great. Ferris always has the same things with the exception of a few things changing daily. I like to think of going to John Jay Dining hall as a gamble because you never know what to expect. I always play it safe and just get pasta at Ferris. On the weekend, it's best to just go out and explore the restaurants in the city.

Mar 20, 2012

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Campus Dining at Columbia University

higheredu

Theatre, Arts, and Media Management '15

3.5
B

Satisfaction When Hungry

The places around campus are reasonable, if you're hungry and need to eat you will be satisfied!

Mar 14, 2012

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Campus Dining at Columbia University

AndreaAcosta93

Pre-Law Studies '15

3.8
B+

Food on Campus

The places around campus are good.Can't complain about dining hall food.

Feb 17, 2012

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Page 1 of 8
User rating for Columbia University - Campus Dining is 3.5 out of 5 based on 22 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus dining on the following topics

Facts

24-Hour Dining None
Off-Campus Places to Use Flex Money Flex Account works at Chipotle and other select business in the vicinity
Special Options JJ’s Place is a popular snack and fast food hangout open during the week from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., closed on Friday, Saturday, opens on Sunday at 3 p.m. It is conveniently located in the basement of the John Jay residence.
Did You Know? Furnald Hall used to have a pub (called Furnald Pub), but the first floor is now a beautiful lounge with hardwood floors and couches where a cappella groups often perform and residents study.

Dining Halls & Campus RestaurantsWhat's This?

Blue Java Coffee Bar
Location: Butler Library
Food: Coffee and munchies
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–12 a.m., Friday 8 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–12 a.m.

Café (212)
Location: Lerner Hall
Food: Salads and sandwiches
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–2 a.m., Friday 8 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.–2 a.m.

Café East
Location: Ground Floor Lerner Hall
Food: Coffee, dumplings, smoothies

Carleton Lounge
Location: Mudd Hall
Food: Coffee and munchies
Hours: Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Ferris Booth Commons
Location: Lerner Hall
Food: Stir-fry, wraps, sushi
Hours: Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Hartley Kosher Deli
Location: Hartley Hall
Food: Kosher
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Hewitt Dining Hall
Location: Barnard Dining Hall
Food: All-you-can-eat, kosher, vegetarian, vegan

JJ’s Place
Location: John Jay Hall
Food: Greasy grill food and other Freshman 15 delicacies
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 p.m.–4 a.m., Sunday 3 p.m.–4 a.m.

John Jay Dining Hall
Location: John Jay Hall
Food: Buffet
Hours: Daily 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

Lenfest Café
Location: Jerome Greene Hall
Food: Salads and sandwiches
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Tasti D-Lite
Location: Lerner Hall
Food: Ice Cream
Hours: Monday–Thursday, Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–11 p.m.

Uris Deli
Location: Uris Hall
Food: Sandwiches and coffee
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Alexandre Millet
Hometown
Washington D.C., Geneva
Major
Economics and Computer Science

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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